The fleshy pulp of both unripe and ripe fruit is edible and can be eaten dried or fresh[46 , 303 ]. It has a slightly astringent taste and can be purgative in larger quantities[774 ]. The fruit is processed into a drink and sweetmeats in Ghana, an alcoholic liquor in Nigeria, a soup ingredient in Sudan[303 ]. The ellipsoid fruit is up to 4cm long[303 ]. Brown or pale brown when fully ripe, with a brittle coat enclosing a brown or brown-green sticky pulp and a hard stone seed[303 ]. Young leaves and tender shoots are used as a vegetable[46 , 303 ]. They are prepared by boiling and pounding, and are then fried or mixed with fat[303 ]. The flowers are a supplementary food in West Africa and a flavouring in Nigeria[303 ]. They are sucked in order to obtain their nectar[303 ]. A greenish-yellow to orange-red resin is produced from the stems. It is sucked and chewed when fresh[303 ]. The kernels produce an edible oil used for cooking[303 ]. The oil remains stable when heated and has a high smoking point, and therefore its free fatty acid content is low[303 ]. Its scent and taste are acceptable[303 ]. The seed contains up to 50% oil[774 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


It is traditionally used in treatment of various ailments including jaundice, intestinal worm infection, wounds, malaria, syphilis, epilepsy, dysentery, constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoid, stomach aches, asthma, and fever. It contains protein, lipid, carbohydrate, alkaloid, saponin, flavonoid, and organic acid. The roots are purgative and vermifuge[46 ]. A decoction of the root is used to treat malaria[303 ]. The roots are boiled in a soup to be used in the treatment of oedema and stomach pains[303 ]. They are also used as an emetic[303 ]. The bark is purgative and vermifuge[46 ]. An infusion of the bark is used to treat heartburn[303 ]. The bark is used to deworm cattle in Rajasthan[303 ]. Wood gum, mixed with maize meal porridge, is used to treat chest pains[303 ]. The plant is a potential source of steroidal sapogenins (diosgenin) for the hemisynthesis of corticosteroids[317 ].

Agroforestry Uses: The usually evergreen behaviour potentially makes this plant an attractive element to introduce into shelterbelts, although because of its slow growth, it is not suitable as a principal species[303 ]. Its thorny habit makes this tree a useful plant for fencing and hedging[303 , 317 ]. Other Uses An oil obtained from the seed has been recommended for the manufacture of soap[46 ]. A strong fibre is obtained from the bark[46 , 303 ]. A greenish-yellow to orange-red resin is produced from the stems. It is used as a glue for sticking feathers onto arrow shafts and spearheads and in the repair of handle cracks and arrows[303 ]. The fruit and bark contain saponins[303 ]. An emulsion made from them is lethal to the freshwater snails that are the host of miracidia and cercaria stages of bilharzia and to a water flea that acts as a host to the guinea worm[303 ]. The seeds are used for rosary beads and necklaces[303 ]. The pale yellow or yellowish-brown wood is fine-grained, compact, hard, durable and easily worked[46 , 303 ]. The heartwood and sapwood are not clearly differentiated[303 ]. It shows no serious seasoning defects and no tendency towards surface checking or splitting[303 ]. The wood saws cleanly and easily, planes without difficulty to a smooth finish and is easy to chisel. It glues firmly and takes a clear varnish[303 ]. The timber has traditionally been a minor product, it is made into yokes, wooden spoons, pestles, mortars, handles, stools and combs[303 ]. The usually small log size and the prevalence of stem fluting makes sawmill processing difficult[303 ]. The wood is good firewood; it produces considerable heat and very little smoke, making it particularly suitable for indoor use[303 ]. It produces high-quality charcoal, and it has been suggested that the nutshell is suitable for industrial activated charcoal[303 ]. The calorific value is estimated at 4600 kcal/kg[303 ].

Special Uses